isisoleil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readitwithred's review against another edition
5.0
I grabbed this audiobook as it was part of the plus catalogue and I needed something to break up my LOTR long haul listen... but OMG I have a new obsession!!
Lara is just an absolute badass Queen! Strong, fierce and smart. Sent on a misguided mission to dismantle and destroy her new husband's kingdom by her manipulative father, we follow her as she realises she may not be on the good side.
Aren is a dreamboat King who fantasies about a time without war and long standing peace between all kingdoms. Not that he isn't savvy as a fighter, because he absolutely is but he tires of war.
There are many side characters that caught my heart too and I just adored the romance and worldbuilding.
Also a big fan of Jenson's writing and she will definitely become a new author I watch out for!
Lara is just an absolute badass Queen! Strong, fierce and smart. Sent on a misguided mission to dismantle and destroy her new husband's kingdom by her manipulative father, we follow her as she realises she may not be on the good side.
Aren is a dreamboat King who fantasies about a time without war and long standing peace between all kingdoms. Not that he isn't savvy as a fighter, because he absolutely is but he tires of war.
There are many side characters that caught my heart too and I just adored the romance and worldbuilding.
Also a big fan of Jenson's writing and she will definitely become a new author I watch out for!
kirsty_11's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rebeccas_readingnook's review against another edition
3.0
Is it a fantasy book? Yes. Does it have romance? Meh? Is it as gripping as other major fantasy novels right now? No.
I liked the book. It was good, don't get me wrong, but there's a lot of it where I felt like there could have been more. The romance between the two characters is very bland. I didn't feel any sexual tension, no aggressive moments between them where they could have kissed but didn't. But then they love each other? I don't know, it just felt like it seemed really flat.
The world was interesting, I definitely feel like there could have been more to make it more exciting. I had a hard time picturing what the world would have looked like. All I could grasp was Angelina Jolie, Tomb Raider circa 2001 style, in the jungle with lots of snakes.
I felt like the play on the manipulation and brain washing Lara faced growing up could have been better layed out throughout the story. It was a main plot point after all. I just feel like it could have been better executed.
Aren was okay. There wasn't anything about him that made me swoon, or feel a connection with. He was just a character in the story and it sucks because I feel like he could have been this amazing, brooding character, but he wasn't. He was flat, and his decision making to jump in and trust Lara seemed weird to me. I feel like based on the cities history and the way he was raised he would have gone into the marriage thinking she was a spy or there was something more to the agreement that they were missing.
It's a good story If you're looking for something to read, but it's just not amazing. Basically, don't jump into this story with the expectation that it will blow you out of the water like Blood to Ash, or any of SJM's fantasy series. If you walk into it with no expectations then I think you might like it.
I liked the book. It was good, don't get me wrong, but there's a lot of it where I felt like there could have been more. The romance between the two characters is very bland. I didn't feel any sexual tension, no aggressive moments between them where they could have kissed but didn't. But then they love each other? I don't know, it just felt like it seemed really flat.
The world was interesting, I definitely feel like there could have been more to make it more exciting. I had a hard time picturing what the world would have looked like. All I could grasp was Angelina Jolie, Tomb Raider circa 2001 style, in the jungle with lots of snakes.
I felt like the play on the manipulation and brain washing Lara faced growing up could have been better layed out throughout the story. It was a main plot point after all. I just feel like it could have been better executed.
Aren was okay. There wasn't anything about him that made me swoon, or feel a connection with. He was just a character in the story and it sucks because I feel like he could have been this amazing, brooding character, but he wasn't. He was flat, and his decision making to jump in and trust Lara seemed weird to me. I feel like based on the cities history and the way he was raised he would have gone into the marriage thinking she was a spy or there was something more to the agreement that they were missing.
It's a good story If you're looking for something to read, but it's just not amazing. Basically, don't jump into this story with the expectation that it will blow you out of the water like Blood to Ash, or any of SJM's fantasy series. If you walk into it with no expectations then I think you might like it.
pinkgiraffe17's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
3.5
This is definately one of more solid 'romantasy' type books that I've read.
I do think the FMC's motivations would have been better sold with more time seeing her her time in the compound, especially her relationship with her sisters. I know there's a race to the meet cute, especially recently, but I thought the final twist lost some heft because
Also they should have banged/part banged earlier (and only one of them remembering making out doesnt cut it lol)
I do think the FMC's motivations would have been better sold with more time seeing her her time in the compound, especially her relationship with her sisters. I know there's a race to the meet cute, especially recently, but I thought the final twist lost some heft because
Spoiler
we'd literally never seen her speak to the surprise new villainAlso they should have banged/part banged earlier (and only one of them remembering making out doesnt cut it lol)
rachelleeb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5